Antimeth campaign will include march
CLUTHA’S youth have taken another step in the fight against drugs after christening their $10,000 antimeth campaign.
During longterm plan decisionmaking in May, the Clutha District Council granted funding to its youth arm to drive a grassroots pushback against what Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan described as a ‘‘growing scourge’’ of methamphetamine use in the district.
After several months of planning and discussion, the Youth Council has opted for the name ‘‘Methamphetamine Awareness Campaign Clutha’’, abbreviated to MAC Clutha.
Alongside the branding decision, plans were progressing on other measures aimed at taking the campaign to the ‘‘wider community’’, Youth Council facilitator Jean
Proctor said.
‘‘It’s important to emphasise that although this is something instigated by the Youth
Council, it’s part of a wider movement to combat the problem of methamphetamine use in our communities, backed by the council, police, schools and community leaders. So our first event is likely to be a community march to allow people to show their solidarity with the campaign.’’
The event was expected to take in South Otago’s main centres and culminate in a mass march to the Cross Recreation Centre in Balclutha.
‘‘The plan is to have guest speakers and a range of other family events, giveaways, and branded merchandise for sale, like Tshirts,’’ Mrs Proctor said.
MAC Cluthabranded and coasters bearing messages would also be distributed to the district’s cafes and bars.
‘‘The concept is to send a subtle, hopefully helpful, reachout message, not only targeting bars and cafes but a range of public places.’’
CluthaTaieri police area response manager Senior Sergeant Stan Leishman praised the campaign and its backers.
‘‘I think it’s fantastic the mayor is empowering the South Otago community to take a stand against meth, and the dangers and social harm that accompany it.
‘‘Police can’t tackle this problem on their own, so we need the community to add its voice through campaigns like these.’’